19 - Working beside Di Jing

Chapter 19 – Working beside Di Jing

For the Shangguan Family, it is a blessing for their daughter to be able to leave the prison.

Although they were worried for her safety, they felt that it would be better for her to follow the Lord rather than remain in prison.

The secret meeting did not end until late in the night. Shangguan Yan stayed in her mother’s courtyard and both of them had a long intimate talk through the night.

The next morning, Shangguan Yan left the Shangguan Mansion quietly and returned to her own house. She put on a tight-sleeved shirt and pants, tied a sword around her waist, and disguised her face before she reported for duty at the Yamen .

From a secret constable, she has now become a constable working beside Di Jing.

On the first day of work, the female constable who was responsible for guiding her brought her to the workroom. In the room, there were six people and she was the seventh. Everyone had their own tables and chairs and files were piled up on each table. When she was brought to the table arranged for her, the files on the table were piled up even higher. Di Jing wanted her to read all the files.

She stared at the stacks of files in horror. In her heart, she was wondering if this person was using her as his personal assistant. She only thought that at most she would be running around on errands and taking orders.

She could not help but complain in her heart and silently cursed Di Jing. However, even though she was complaining, she still sat down immediately and began to read. She took charge of the shops to earn a living and often reviewed the account books. Moreover, she frequently investigates and scrutinizes the cases, so reviewing all the files in the thick stacks was not a problem for her.

Inside the files, other than the narration of the cases, there were also testimonies and transcripts of the interrogation of relevant witnesses, the relationships of the people, and location. It was impossible to finish reading all the files in a day or two.

As soon as Shangguan Yan started to read the files, she entered a state of working without rest. When it was time to eat, she hurriedly went to the dining hall to get some buns and stuffed them with vegetables and meat for her meal. Then she hurried back to her table to continue reading the files.

Every day, someone would report to Di Jing about ShangguanYan’s every move.

“How was her performance these three days?”

“Replying to my Lord, Shangguan Yan has been reading the files for the past three days. Other than taking her meals, she would read from morning to night. Occasionally, she would stop to think, and after thinking she would continue to read. Every day she would be the first person to report to work and the last to leave.”

Di Jing nodded. “Understood. Withdraw.”

After the subordinate who gave the report had left, Di Jing sat in front of the table and tapped his index finger on the tabletop.

The first task he gave her was to read those files and for three consecutive days, the reports that Di Jing received from the subordinate were almost the same. Once she started on a case, she would be very focused. He could not help but smile. This girl really works around the clock and it was right to look for her.

It was already dinner time and a while later, a guard came to ask Di Jing whether he wanted a meal.

Di Jing thought for a moment and said. “Alright.”

“Yes.”

“Wait.” He called the guard back. “Prepare two sets of tableware.”

“Yes.”

When he arrived at the workroom, Shangguan Yan was resting on her desk. He walked forward slowly and a constable at the side was about to wake her up when Di Jing stopped the constable. At the same time, he waved his hand at the constable to withdraw.

The constable kept quiet and then withdrew silently. Di Jing walked up and saw the files on the table were divided into two piles. After looking at them for a while, he finally understood. One pile consisted of files that she had read and the other pile consisted of files that she had skimmed through. She had added a lot of paper to the files that she had read and all of them were marked. At the side, there was a book with some writings on it.

He sat down quietly and holding the book in his hand, he flipped through it without making a sound.

When Shangguan Yan woke up, she found the room was lighted and the sky had turned dark. After using her brains too much, she was overcome with tiredness and had only wanted to rest for a while on the table but unexpectedly fell asleep. Lifting her head, she let out a yawn and was startled when she saw Di Jing sitting opposite her. He was holding a book in his hand and reading leisurely. That book was the one that she had jotted down all her views throughout these past three days.

She blinked and stared at him.

How long has this person been sitting here?

Di Jing raised his eyes to look at her. “Awake?”

“Mmm…… awake.”

Is he here to catch her for being lazy?

“Since you’re awake, come and eat.” Without saying more, he stood up then turned around and left. He did not return the book to her and casually took it with him.

She wanted to remind him that it was hers but in the end, she shut her mouth and did not say anything.

Well, he has a high rank. Since he wanted to read it, then let him be. Anyway, she is also hungry.

She stood up and went out of the room to proceed to the dining hall.

“Where are you going?” He turned around and called out to her.

She paused her footsteps and pointed in the direction of the dining hall. “To eat.”

“Come this way to eat. Follow me.” After speaking, he continued walking and Shangguan Yan followed him with a puzzled look.

It was until she stepped into Di Jing’s study and saw four dishes and one soup laid on the table with two sets of tableware that she understood he was asking her to have a meal with him.

Shangguan Yan sat down without any courtesy. In front of others, she would behave respectfully to him but with no one around, her attitude towards him was very casual.

Just like that time when they were at the Qin Mansion. Although she was his maid, she would always talk with him in private like they were friends and Di Jing did not have any objection. It was like they already had a tacit understanding between them.

When she saw the food on the table, her appetite was whetted and she realized that she was feeling hungry. Although normally she was not picky about food, she inevitably ate a few more bowls of rice when she saw her favorite food. Not to mention that all the four dishes and soup on the table were her favorites.

Di Jing looked at her and when he saw that she was not showing him any courtesy and eating, the corners of this lips curved slightly.

When he was in the workroom just now, he took the opportunity to look around her table while she was asleep on the table. He noticed that she had classified the files by picking out the important cases to read first and listed all the key points inside the book. He was surprised that her thoughts were so orderly and distinct and could not help but appreciate her abilities even more.

After the meal, when he saw she was already full, he ordered for the table to be cleared and tea to be served to aid digestion.

“What are your views?”

It was an off-hand question but Shangguan Yan understood what he meant. He was asking about those files.

“Those cases seemed like they are not related but they all share one thing in common. Those people who pleaded guilty still had a lot of doubtful points but the cases were closed.”

He nodded. “Anything else?”

“Those key people are dead and those who are not dead had either become mad or paralyzed. Once the cases are closed, there won’t be any further investigation.”

Approval shone in Di Jing’s eyes. She seemed unconcerned about many things but once she takes on a case, she is not sloppy. Things that should be noted, she would pay attention and what others may not notice, she would still probe further and would not let go of any clues.

“The closing of these cases are done for appearance’s sake. It’s not impossible to conduct thorough investigations in private.”

A bright light flashed in her eyes. She could detect the meaning in his words and lifted her eyebrows as she looked at him.

“The top wants to start investigations?”

“Only possible with evidence.”

She nodded. “Understood…….but it will take a lot of effort and a lot more manpower.”

He likes to talk to her as she is very smart and does not need to explain. She can catch on with just a few words and both of them understand each other well. It saves a lot of trouble and it feels more relaxed. Whenever he talks to her, he would take note of her expressions and reactions in his heart.

As long as the discussion is related to cases, her eyes will turn lively and bright. She also does not alienate him just because he is her superior. On the contrary, she treats him casually like a friend which makes him very happy.

Unconsciously, the corners of his lips lifted.

To create more time to spend with her, he will throw out the next topic whenever the current topic is about to end.

When one talks too much, one will get thirsty easily.

He ordered someone to prepare water for her and after she had drunk a cup, he would very naturally help to fill up her cup. In order not to be too obvious, he would fill his cup first before helping to fill hers.

The time spent with her always seems to pass very fast.

It was until the sounds of the gong drifted in from outside that he realized it was fast approaching the time of curfew.

“It’s late, this humble one won’t hinder my Lord’s rest. It’s time to go back.”

Di Jing nodded and when she stood up, he deliberately said casually. “If you’re feeling extremely tired, there’s a vacant room prepared that you can stay.”

“It’s not necessary. There is still time to go back before the curfew starts. This humble one will leave first.”

He nodded and did not try to persuade her. When she was leaving, his deep gaze was locked on her back and until she disappeared, he still did not move his gaze.

The next day, Shangguan Yan did not show up and instead, she sent someone to ask for leave.

Di Jing frowned when he heard the news.

“Sick?”

“The Second Young Master of Shangguan Family came personally to ask for leave and said that Shangguan Yan was having a high fever this morning and could not get up.”

Di Jing nodded. “Understood…….withdraw.”

“Yes.” The constable who came to report withdrew from the study and Di Jing fell into deep contemplation.

She is sick? Is she suffering from a cold? Or is it because he gave her too much work?

Thinking back, he had detained her for ten days earlier on and following that he wanted her to start work immediately.

Can it be that he had made her exhausted and she had gotten sick?

If he knew it would make her sick, he would not have done it.

On the surface, Di Jing seemed to be looking at the documents but in reality, he could not concentrate. Just hearing the news that she was sick, he was already troubled. It was only a day he did not see her and he was already missing her very much.

He wanted to visit her but could not find a suitable reason. Many subordinates were working under him and being sick and taking leave was a trivial matter. He had never set an example of paying a visit to any of his sick subordinates before and as the Imperial Commissioner, it seems unreasonable for him to be concern about a minor constable.

After much difficulty, he placed her beside him but the time is not ripe yet, and if he appears too enthusiastic at this time…….what if she is scared away?

Besides, she still has a verbal engagement.

He could see that her heart was not with him yet. When she looked at him, her eyes did not show much emotion and before there is a certainty, he would never reveal his feelings.

He can only ponder and take each step at a time.